USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1904 > Part 9
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FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The force of the department consists of a chief, three assistant chiefs, eighty call men and one permanent man at the central fire station.
APPARATUS
The apparatus consists of two second-class Amoskeag fire engines, one second-class Amoskeag fire engine in re-
213
214
ANNUAL REPORTS
serve, one second-class Nott fire engine, five hose wagons, two ladder trucks, (one in reserve) three pungs, and one set of runners for ladder truck for winter service, one sup- ply wagon, one four-wheel hose carriage (in reserve) and one exercise wagon, which is loaded at all times and ready to respond to an alarm when needed.
The apparatus is in first-class condition with the excep- tion of Ladder I, which should be thoroughly overhauled and painted.
HOUSES
The houses of the department are in excellent condition with the exception of Hose 7's, which has been spoken of from year to year by the different chief engineers as need- ing attention, but nothing has ever been done to give the company better quarters, which is their due.
HORSES
The horses, which are controlled by the highway de- partment and are used by the fire department only in case of fire, are in excellent condition, a new pair being used on Steamer I, those formerly used there being unfit for service.
Hose I's horse is kept constantly at the central fire sta- tion, answering all alarms in the day time and in district at night and is a great benefit to the department.
It would be of great help to the department if all horses used for fire service should be kept within limits of the stations to which they are attached.
215
CHIEF ENGINEER
HOSE
There are 10,500 feet of hose in the department, 2500 feet of which is only fit for hydrant service. Although 1000 feet of hose was purchased this year, there is a great need of more new hose.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply has given good satisfaction the past year, although at the fire of the Fiberloid works it was demonstrated that larger water pipes would be of im- mense value to the large manufacturing places at the south end along Water street. The same were laid later on by the water company, and will no doubt prove of great benefit to the department should a large fire again occur in that section.
FIRE ALARM
The fire alarm system, under the superintendency of Orrin J. Welch, gives the best of satisfaction. New boxes have been added and the system improved the past year.
APPROPRIATIONS
Appropriation
$10,750 00
Credits.
184 50
Expense
15,508 58
Overdraft
$1,574 08
216
ANNUAL REPORTS
MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF ENGINEERS
Chief John P. Atkinson
. 1472 Fair street
First Assistant John L. Lewis.
6 Walnut street
Second Assistant John F. Cutter.
18 Broad street
Third Assistant George P. Osborne.
· 34 Fair street
ENGINE ONE
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
Joseph O. Evans
30
Silver shop
15 Tyng street
Robert E. Hart
31
Shoe cutter
22 Liberty street
George E· Currier
43
Shoe finisher 1612 School street
Charles W. Adams, engineer
57
Machinist
15 Pond street
Chas. B. Atkinson, ass't eng.
35
Eben P. Allen, fireman
49
Permanent fireman 12 So. Pond
William H. Chase
44
Shoe shop
24 Hancock street
George W. Henderson
33
Carpenter
3 Winter street
Samuel L. Truesdale
37 Bridge keeper 92 Merrimac street
Ira E. Patten
33
Shoe shop
1972 Winter street 14 Franklin street
John O. Erickson
27
Shoe cutter
Charles A. Safford
26
Silver shop
28 Oakland street
Walter King
27
Fisherman
8 Fair street
Fred Rand
28 Teamster
39 Merrimac street
George N. Ellery
47 Comb shop
23 Green street
ENGINE TWO
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
Frank E. Thurlow
44
Shoe cutter 3972 Purchase street
Charles W. Turner
55 Planer
24 Atwood street
George W. Parker
39
Clerk
48 Prospect street
F. W. Landford, engineer
46
Salesman
5 Charles street
C. S. Blake, ass't engineer
55 Painter
28 Liberty street
G. N. Black, fireman
64
-
5 Marlboro court
912 Bromfield street
217
CHIEF ENGINEER
Name
Age
Occupation Residence
G. H. D. Leighton
50
Shoe cutter
John C. M. Blaisdell
58
Joseph L. Thurlow
47
Fish dealer
John A. Bean
69
Laborer
George W. Ross
30
Barber
24 Summer street 48 Temple street 55 Marlboro street 52 Middle street 18 Bromfield street 55 Purchase street
George N. Black, Jr.
23
Fisherman
M. E. Wright
30
Clerk
5 Dalton street
Lawrence S. Pray
25
Shoemaker
Thomas E. Coleman
44
Laborer
24 Atwood street 21 Smith court
ENGINE THREE
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
John A. Brock
34
Shoe cutter 175 Merrimac street
Joseph P. Page
33
Shoemaker 11/2 Boardman street
Frank E. Davis, engineer
57
Machinist 7 Broad street
Ralph S. Bailey, ass't eng.
42
Foreman Io Market street
W. R. Bradbury, fireman
41
Shoe cutter
16712 Merrimac
Andrew P. Lewis
60
Newsdealer
9 Carter street
Charles W. Genn
40
Shoemaker
42 Water street
Samuel T. Chase
44
Green street
Charles W. Howard
32
Silversmith
2912 Oakland street
Albert H. Davis
29
Machinist
Chesley F. Marr
24
Clerk
George A. Mckenzie
29
Driver
Edward Hardy
Shoe cutter
Frank Partlow
22
Machinist
2 Warren street
Howard Packer
25
Shoemaker
7 Broad street 196 Merrimac street 100 Merrimac street Green street
24 Franklin street
.
218
ANNUAL REPORTS
LADDER COMPANY NO. ONE
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
Lincoln G. Bradbury
44
Shoe cutter
7 Eagle street
Richard K. Pike
26
Tailor
87 Prospect street
Charles W. Marsh
29
Wood worker
45 Bromfield street
Herbert Currier
40
Carpenter
42 Temple street
George Rollins
44
Shoe cutter
19 Winter street
Charles E. Ives
27
Clerk
275 Merrimac street
Chris McGilvery
27
Lineman
21 Fair street 2 Horton street
Ellis Lunt
27
Plumber
Bernard C. McQuade
34
Baker
John A. Wilson
39
Clammer
Edgar C. Reade
44
Laundry
Nelson F. B. Ross
33
Painter
Harold C. Adams
22
Plumber
George P. Peckham
33
Shoe cutter
32 Charles street 5 Collins street
Albert D. Erost
37
HOSE SEVEN
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
Edwin F. Jackman
34
Carpenter
7 Ashland street
Thomas W. Mitchell
47
Shoemaker
44 Forester street
Frank W. Merrill
36
Shoe cutter 1712 Woodland street
William G, Somerby
40
Shoemaker
14 Forester street
Frank B. Ives
49
Hatter
275 Merrimac street
Frank D. Huntington
52
Carriage trimmer
22 Ashland
George A. Coffin
49
Shoemaker
4 Jefferson street
Wilbur C. Randall
29
2112 Ashland street
Willard Dole
22
274 Merrimac street
Ernest Mitchell
27
clerk
44 Forester street
128 Merrimac street 179 Water street 16 Kent street 9 Woodland street 17 Franklin street
66
219
CHIEF ENGINEER
HOSE EIGHT
Name
Occupation
Residence
William B. Porter
Teamster
8 Lunt street
George W. Stanwood
Silver worker
32 Madison street
David A. Wells
Fisherman
187 Water street
Daniel W. Jackman
Silver plater
Albert Russell
Clerk
Fred McBurnie
Shoemaker
Wilbur S. Porter
Expressman
William H. H. Perkins
Fish dealer
George E. Wilson
Mariner
John Wills, Jr.
Shoemaker
34 Marlboro street 3 Oak street 30 Union street II Hancock street 30 Union street 179 Water street 5 Tremont street
220
ANNUAL REPORTS
BELL ALARMS FOR
Date
Box
Time
Bldg.
Location
January 4
61
1.33 p.m.
Brick
Forrester street
January 5
34
2.35 p.m.
Brick
State street
February 3
61
7.50 p.m.
Wood
Warren street
March 2
5
6.10 a. 111.
Wood
Water street
March 7
8-27
6.10 p.m.
Brick
Water street
March 10
25
10.10 p.m.
Wood
Atwood street
March 24
51
11.18 a. m.
Brick
Kent street
March 28
67
9.25 p.m.
Brick
Merrimac street
April I
61
12.45 p.m.
Wood
Broad street
May 5
31
9.25 p.m.
Wood
Liberty street
July 12
23
8.55 p.m.
July 20
35
9.57 p.m.
Brick
Merrimac street
July 31
25
9.00 p.m.
Wood
Beck street
August 7
45
7.50 a. m.
Wood
rear Merrimac street
August 12
16
2.45 P.111.
Wood
Madison street
August 31
35
8.30 p.m.
Wood
Bartlett street
September 3
35
1.48 p.m.
Wood
Collins' wharf
September 19
51
5.00 p.m.
Wood
Buck street
October 7
42
1.20 a. m.
Wood
Merrimac street
November 9
35
9.20 a. m.
Wood
State street
November 17
2-2-2
9.05 a. m.
Fire at Portsmouth
November 19
32
10.20 a. 111.
Wood
Low street
December 15
67
11.25 p.m.
Wood
Merrimac street
December 14
42
4.30 p.m.
Wood
Merrimac street
May 31
34
9.23 p.m.
Wood
State street
The department also answered to 55 still alarms.
1
221
CHIEF ENGINEER
THE YEAR 1904
Insurance Paid-
Owner
Occupant
Bldg.
Contents
Total
City
Currier school
. .
...
....
Eliphalet Griffin
George Chocho
$250 00
....
....
Armenians
....
....
. ...
George E. Trumbull
Mr. Hunt
133 50
....
....
Fiberloid Co.
Fiberloid Co.
....
....
$89,406 75
C. M. Pritchard
C. M. Pritchard
....
....
416 00
Bay State Cordage Co. Bay State Cordage
....
....
162 62
Citizens Ry. Co.
Citizens Ry. Co.
....
...
52,997 77
City
Anna Jaques hospital
86 00
$24 07
II0 07
Mr. Hogan
·
....
....
Poore estate
Dr. Brown
....
....
....
False alarm
...
....
...
Heirs of Sam. Brown
C. N. Richardson
54 50
....
54 50
Mr. Reddy
....
....
....
J. W. Walker
J. W. Walker
950 00
812 46
1,762 46
Emma F. G. H. White Mr. Stevens
700 00
....
700 00
W. J. Jordan
W. J. Jordan
....
....
....
....
....
. ...
Mr. Garland
Mr. Garland
....
. . . .
....
Daniel Balch
Dennis Conners
152 00
155 44
307 44
Sullivan & Donahue ....
100 00
....
Tim Shay
Tim Shay
...
307 44
Citizens Ry. Co.
Citizens Ry. Co.
. . .
.. .
....
Dodge Bros.
Dodge Bros.
....
....
....
3-masted schooner
222
ANNUAL REPORTS
In conclusion, I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, and gentlemen of the city council, committee on fire de- partment, the city marshal and members of the police force, also my assistant engineers, officers and members of the department, who by their efficiency in the discharge of their duties, have helped to keep the fire loss down to a minimum.
Respectfully Yours,
JOHN P. ATKINSON, Chief of Department.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Assessors
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of Newbury- port:
GENTLEMEN :- The board of assessors herewith respect- fully present their annual report for the year 1904:
The total assessed value of property in 1904 was. . .. .$10,810,864 00
Assessed on real estate-value. $7,467,200 00
Assessed on personal estate -- value 3,053,000 00 Assessed on resident bank shares- value. 290,664 00
$10,810,864 00
An increase of $123,435 over 1903.
The rate of taxation in 1904 was $17 on $1,000, and the total amount of tax levied was:
Real, personal and resident bank shares $183,784 69 Poll tax, 4,545 polls at $2 per poll. 9,090 00
Total tax levy . $192,874 69
223
224
ANNUAL REPORTS
The sums required by the state, county and city were as follows:
From state treasurer. $ 8,850 00
state treasurer, for state highways. 87 70
county treasurer. 11,552 05
66 city clerk $178,451 41
Less sum received from income. 11,000 00 167,451 41 $187,941 16
Overlay .
4,933 53
Total $192,874 69
Additional assessments, polls and personal $138 51
Property exempted by law :- The value of property houses of religious worship, literary institutions, charita- ble and benevolent institutions, exempted by law is as follows:
Religious societies, real estate. $ 236,000 00 Literary institutions
111,300 00
invested funds 89,084 00
Benevolent and charitable institutions, real estate. 157,300 00 66
invested funds. . 428,884 00
Total
$1,022,568 00
Number of dwelling houses assessed 3163, number of acres of land assessed 4576, number of residents assessed on property, individuals, 1779; all others, 421, number of non-residents assessed on property, individuals, 207, all others, 42. (All others means firms, corporations, associ- ations, trustees, etc. )
Total number assessed on property 2,449. Total number assessed for poll tax only, 3434. Total number of tax- payers 5883. Value of buildings assessed, excluding land, $5, 119,200. Value of land, excluding buildings,
225
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
$2,348,000, number of horses assessed, 72r, number of cows assessed 264.
William H. Huse, chairman of this board died on November 8th. He was elected a member of this board in 1898, and in 1899 was elected chairman and served contin- uously until his death. He was a careful, painstaking, conscientious official, and discharged all his duties with honor to himself and credit to the city. By his untimely death the city lost an honest and capable official and this board a valued member.
GEORGE P. SARGENT, WILLARD A. HATCH,
Assessors.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Health
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
GENTLEMEN-The board of health herewith submits its 29th annual report.
Appropriation
$800 00
Credits. 21 50
$ 821 50
Expenditures
1,184 37
EXPENDITURES
John Burke, I year's salary as agent and cash paid. $ 326 35
C. W. Page, I year's salary as clerk .. 50 00
cash paid for stamps and stationery . I 50
C. H. Sargent, inspector of plumbing and examination 218 10 Wm. J. Wilkinson 65 50
Dr. E. H. Noyes, vaccinations 57 00
C. L. Davis, telegrams etc. 50 55
New England, telegraph and telephone. 62 31
J. E. Bailey, expenses to Boston etc. 33 50
use of telephone 4 50
227
228
ANNUAL REPORTS
Dr. S. O. Pilling, services and examinations $ 27 00
John Casey, provisions and groceries. 18 09
F. J. Donahoe 7 22
Peoples' Market 66
66
9 82
J. C. Currier ..
II 91
P. B. Curtis
66
66
14 24
D. A. Goodwin
IO 21
Io gallons sanita. 5 80
B. S. Wood, provision and groceries
Moody Akerman " 66
7 04
J. H. Noyes
17 59
W. C. O'Connell " 66
19 77
G. H. Plumer
66
4 60
John Casey
66
5 23
H. C. Stevens
6.
13 94
J. H. Hunt .. 66
16 61
News Publishing Co. "
13 75
Item
6 50
Carl Castelhun, fumigators
6 00
A. J. Casey
8 00
N. Varina, wood and coal
3 00
John Collins .6
I 50
E. W. Eatou, fumigators. 29 00
P. S. Bradford, expenses of plumbers and material 14 66
A. K. Silloway, burying dead horse 3 00
E. C. Hadley 66 fish 8 50
West disinfectant Co., disinfectant. 50
State Cattie bureau, branding stamp 1 90
Total
$1,184 37
50
Herald Company, printing and advertising 6.
17 18
229
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE AGENT
Following is the report of the agent for the year ending December 20th, 1904.
Contagious diseases reported.
Diphtheria. 28
Typhoid fever 22
Scarlet fever I2
Measles 145
Total
207
Tenements placarded .
25
fumigated
35
Carriages 66
4
Schoolhonses 66
.
5
Rooms
128
Complaints attended to and calls made.
Cess-pools
22
Vaults .
142
Dirty yards
I5
Swill
8
Sink drains
14
Wash water
3
Dead rats
5
Gas leaks
2
Urinals
3
Pig pens.
5
Slops
I2
Refrigerators.
2
Dead hogs buried I
cats 13
" dogs 66
16
fish and offal buried 6
I
Foul ash barrels.
4
Manure removed
3
Dirty cellars.
5
Swill in vaults. 4
Old mattresses buried .
Body ordered removed I
230
ANNUAL, REPORTS
Base of vaults repaired
5
Rotten fruit.
2
Clam shells. 2
Hens in cellars
2
Old rubbish
7
Bath house.
3
Smoke nuisance.
4
Sewer pipes
2
Foul culverts.
4
Stagnant water.
I
Dirty sidewalk.
I
Notices sent out
314
Nuisances abated. . 45
Minor complaints 292
Total complaints .971
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
As will be seen by the foregoing report, that although not so many cases of typhoid fever or diphtheria have been reported this year as last, we have had quite an epi- demic of measles, 145 cases having been reported, and the board has reason to believe there has been a great many more cases not reported, owing to the fact that some of the physicians persist in the neglect of reporting contagious diseases, and still other cases where no physician has been called.
.
BOARD OF HEALTH . 231
SANITARY WORK
C. M. Lunt & Sons make the following report of the sanitary work performed by them for the year ending December 20th.
February
5 loads
March
.30
April.
.57
May 85
June
.95
July
.92
August .48
.71
October
.36
66
November
.45
December
34
Total
598 loads
INSPECTION OF PLUMBING
M.I. Charles H. Sargent, inspector of plumbing, makes the following report of the work performed by himself and deputy inspector, William Wilkinson,
Report for the year ending November 30th, 1904.
Total number of separate jobs inspected I55
Total numbers of fixtures put in .. 476
These fixtures consisted as follows:
Closets 151
Baths
55
Sinks 15I
Lavatories 86
Urinals
9
Refrigerators
6
Wash-trays 16
Sterilizers (Anna Jaques hospital) 25
66
September
·
232 ·
ANNUAL REPORTS
The Anna Jaques hospital contains nearly 100 separate fixtures, which reduces the number in private houses ma- terially from last year's work.
In the foregoing report it will be observed that there has been less connections with the sewers of private houses than last year. The board was in hopes that a larger pro- portion of tenement owners would take advantage of the opportunity afforded of connecting their houses with the public sewer, as we have reason to believe that such con- nections would conduce to the health and comfort of the citizens generally.
INSPECTOR OF MEAT AND PROVISIONS
The death of George W. Knight, inspector of meat and provisions, which position he had held since the creation of the office, made it necessary to appoint a new official for that position. Irving K. Wells was appointed, and having secured the approval of the cattle commissioners, he entered upon his duties July 18th and his report to December 18th follows:
Number of beef cattle inspected 368
Number of veal calves 343
Number of hogs 365
Condemned as not fit for food, 26 calves, 12 carcasses of beef.
JOHN E. BAILEY, Chairman, SIMEON O. PILLING, CHARLES W. PAGE,
Board of Health.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
City Marshal
To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of New- buryport :
GENTLEMEN :- The whole number of arrests during the year ending December 31st, 1904, for offences committed within the city of Newburyport is 586, of which 197 were of foreign birth, 389 were born within the limits of the United States, 46 were female, and 67 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz:
Assault and battery 43
Assault on officers. 6
Assault with a dangerous weapon. 2
Adultery 2
Attempt to break and enter. I
Bastardy . 5
Breaking and entering and larceny
14 Cruelty to dumb animals I
Cruelly overdriving a horse 2
233
234
ANNUAL REPORTS
Violation ferry law
I
Drunkenness. . 334
Disturbing the peace 26
Violation milk law
r
Deserters
2
Evading fare.
I
Violation Sunday law
Violation school law
2
Violation butter law ..
4
Using profane language
E
Selling tobacco to a minor
I
Fighting ...
Fraud .
4
Riding bicycle on sidewalk
2
Using threatening language.
5 4
Larceny . 40
2
Lewd and lascivious
2
Malicious mischief
7
Neglected children
Runaway girls
Runaway boys
2
Safe-keeping
3
Stubborn and disobedient.
4
Tramps
3
Vagrancy
3
Violation of the rules of the board of health
Violation of city ordinance
5
Violation of the fish law
I
Violation of the junk law 3
Violation of the liquor law 19
Total 586
Disposed of as follows :
Appealed .. 7
Bound over to Superior court. 19
Cases continued 27
2
Insane.
Receiving stolen property
Manslaughter.
Non-support .
235
CITY MARSHAL
Cases settled without trial 4
Committed for non-payment of fine 58
Committed to Danvers hospital 4
Committed to Waverly hospital I
Committed to Lyman school 3
Committed to state board of charity IO
Committed to State farm, Bridgewater
2
Committed to Woman's prison, Slierborn
I
Defaulted. 4
Discharged without arraignment.
17
Dischaaged by court
44
Fined and paid I74
House of correction 2
Newburyport workhouse
I
Ordered to pay costs
4
Put on probation
25
Placed on file. I32
Released.
2
Sent to jail .
27
Turned over to other officers II
2
Concord reformatory.
I
Turned over to United States authorities 2
Settled by marriage. 2
Total 586
MISCELLANEOUS
Amount of property reported lost. $793 50
Amount of property recovered ... 672 20
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days) 1610
Accidents reported . 17
Assisted other officers 153
Suicide. 3
Ambulance calls. 8
Buildings found open and secured . 233
Complaints investigated . 756
Defective places in streets reported . 43
Dogs killed 12
Disturbances suppressed without arrest 56
Turned over to parents.
236
ANNUAL REPORTS
Dangerous wires and poles reported . 13 Extra duty, ward room, ball grounds, yacht race, fair grounds, circus, (days ). 76
Escorts furnished processions 4
Fire alarms given ... 3
Fires extinguished without alarm 7
Injured persons assisted . 38
Intoxicated persons helped home. 61
Lights furnished for dangerous places 36
7
Lights found burning in buildings 22
Lights reported out in stores. .
14
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
1080
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk.
62
Nuisances investigated
2
Officers for extra duty at City hall
80
· Persons provided with lodgings
1080
Runaway teams stopped 3
Search warrant for liquor served . 2I
Street obstructions removed . 32
8
Search warrants for property 4
Street lights reported out. 115
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner. I3
Streets barred on account of sickness I
Water found running in buildings . 7
Water main burst, superintendent notified. II
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD R. AYERS,
City Marshal.
Lost children restored to parents.
Liquor seizures 12
Stray teams put up.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
City Solicitor
To the City Council:
GENTLENEN : - As required by the ordinance, I submit the following report of the business of this office for the year 1904.
At the beginning of the year the following cases were pending against the city.
Newburyport Water Company vs. city of Newburyport, Little vs. city of Newburyport, Healy vs. city of Newbury- port, Dame, et al. vs. city of Newburyport, Shute vs. Langdon (defended by the city by vote of the city coun- cil.)
The first mentioned case was, at this time, ready for trial in the United States supreme court, and was shortly after decided in favor of the city. Hon. A. E. Pillsbury was counsel for the city in this case, and the matter was not, properly speaking, a part of the business of this office.
237
238
ANNUAL REPORTS
The case of Shute vs. Langdon was an action of trespass and grew out of the acts of the defendant who was super- intendent of highways, in connection with the widen- ing of Merrimac street at the junction of Jefferson street. It was claimed by the plaintiff that the defendant entered upon hier land, tore down and removed the fence and a porch, cut down trees and carted away 50 cubit feet of earth and soil. The case came on to trial at the October sitting of the Superior court and resulted in a verdict of $250 for the plaintiff. In order to ascertain whether or not a part of the land alleged to have been trespassed up- on came within the original layout of Merrimac street, made in 1816, it was necessary to employ the services of a surveyor to make a survey of the premises, draw plans, etc. and give his testimony in the case. This, with ex- pert testimony on land values, entailed an expenditure of $ICO.
The case of Dame, et al. vs. City of Newburyport had been referred to an auditor in 1903. In November of this year the case was opened before the auditor and one hear- ing held.
During the year the following suits were brought against the city.
Katharine McRae vs. city of Newburyport, James A. Leary, p. p. a. vs. city of Newburyport, Cornelius J. Leary vs. city of Newburyport, Frank McGrath vs. city of Newburyport, James Leonard vs. city of Newbury- port, George E. Poor vs. city of Newburyport, Hiram P. Mackintosh vs. city of Newburyport.
239
CITY SOLICITOR
The case of Katherine McRae vs. city of Newburyport was on the trial calendar for the October sitting of the superior court and was disposed of by an entry of judg- ment for the city.
As there had been several continuances granted the plaintiff, a small expenditure was incurred in securing the attendance of witnesses.
In connection with the cases of Jeremiah A. Leary, p. p. a. vs. city of Newburyport and of Cornelius J. Leary vs. city of Newburyport, suits were subsequently brought by the same parties against John D. Lucy, foreman of the water department, for the same cause of action. As these latter cases effectively covered any ground of liability left open in the first, it became a question of the measure of damages the city would be called upon to pay.
The plaintiffs offered to settle the four cases for $300 and costs; as expert medical testimony would be necessary in defending the actions and probably would not have been as favorable to the city as would be desired, and would in the end make the defence of these cases cost more than the plaintiffs were willing to settle for, their offer of settlement was accepted.
At the sitting of the superior court in this city in Octo- ber, most of the cases to which the city was a party, were on the trial list, and it became necessary to secure the presence of witnesses in cases which did not happen to be heard, as well as in those which were disposed of. This resulted in an expenditure of $50 for summoning witnesses witnesses' fees, travel, etc.
240
ANNUAL REPORTS
The following cases against the city are now pending :
Little vs. city of Newburyport, an appeal from the as- sessors' valuation of the plaintiff's real estate; Dame et al. vs. city of Newburyport, an action to recover for services alleged to have been rendered by the late C. C. Daine in connection with the water case; Healy vs. city of New- buryport, an action for damages to a building on Indepen- dent street, caused by placing gravel upon the sidewalk and against the building ; James Leonard vs. city of New- buryport, George E. Poor vs. city of Newburyport, Hiram P. Macintosh vs. city of Newburyport, the three last me11- tioned cases are petitions for a jury and are in the nature of an appeal from the decree of the board of aldermen, ad- judging the building 8 and 10 Prospect street to be a nuisance to the neighborhood; Frank McGrath vs. city of Newburyport, this is an action for personal injuries al- leged to have been sustained by the caving in of the side- walk in front of the buildings numbered 8 and 10 State street. The same party has also brought suit against two abutting owners and the Newburyport Gas & Electric Company for the same cause of action. The latter com- pany has been duly notified to come in and defend the suit against the city.
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